CptTripps' Restoration 2 - The Grey Matter Build, Back in Doug’s garage Options

[CptTripps]

Hey gang!

I'm back in the mix, and getting ready for another 914 restoration. Not sure this will play out as well as it did Last Time, but we'll give her a go and see what I can come up with!

After I find the right starting-point, here's what I've been dreaming of doing to it.

Subaru EJ20 Turbo 4 engine & Trans. (250-275hp target)
Steel flares
5-bolt hubs
Boxster brakes
Stiffen up the body. (MAYBE a roll-bar.)
Satin silver paint, blacked-out chrome, black satin rims...with colorful calipers.

I think I've found the right starting-point car (70-1.7 with carbs) so I'll drive it a bit while I'm stock-piling parts. That way I can start the project in earnest this winter while the snow falls.

I'm going to use the 901 side-shift trans I have in my basement to mount up to the EJ20 after I can locate a decent one. That way, I should be able to get everything right and then mount it up a lot easier after I drop the 1.7 out. (Best intentions...always lead to disappointment, but I'll try anyway.)

Things I learned the last time:

* Do the body work all the way up to the primer, then let a pro take it from there.
* It's much easier to work when you have a lot of light.
* Garage heaters are your friend.
* When in doubt...STOP and look for an answer. (Doubling your bad efforts never works.)
* Wearing those blue latex gloves alleviates embarrassing situations in meetings
* The search button is your friend. (Spelling is also...thanks Andy.)

Here we go!

UPDATE: I ended up with a 1975 with a V8 conversion as a starting point.

UPDATE 2: The engine I found had a good Trans on it, so I'm going to have a Subaru 5MT not a 901.

UPDATE 3: 350 is my new HP goal

UPDATE 4: I'm naming the project "Grey Matter" because the car is going to be a lot more than just a restoration. That...and project names are cool. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

UPDATE 5: April 17th is the "due date" to have it complete. Not as fast as my last build, but there is a LOT more to this one.

[Chris H.]

Yeah you got into the "hard labor" stuff this weekend didn't you? I was sore for days. Good job!

You did the right thing by nabbing the whole wiring harness. Read the fine print and you'll see Small Car will not take one if it's been cut. Found that out a week too late (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . Its cool that the engine and trans are from the same car. Total compatibility. Don't want to deter you from modding that engine but it's highly unlikely that it needs a rebuild. How many miles again? It'll look much cleaner and less cluttered when you take the power steering pump and pulley off and some of those hoses and whatnot. I think you can remove the EGR stuff as well (I did). You kept the ignition key and switch right? The key is chipped I think and the car won't start with the stock ECU without it.

The center diff is worth $250-$300 on NASIOC. It'll be gone in a day or two once you post it. Sold mine immediately for $250. Apparently they are the weak spot for 4WD.